Texas A&M sophomore Johnny Manziel is linked to two more autograph sessions in January, according to a report Monday by ESPN 'Outside the Lines'. / Troy Taormina , USA TODAY Sports

by Daniel Uthman, USA TODAY Sports

by Daniel Uthman, USA TODAY Sports

Two people with knowledge of the events told ESPN Outside the Lines on Monday that Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel signed memorabilia for autograph dealers in two January sessions, though it is unclear whether he was paid to do so.

The report said the events were organized by a Florida-based dealer named Kevin Freistat and took place in south Florida and Houston. Six alleged signing sessions have been linked to Manziel by Outside the Lines. At least one person told Outside the Lines that Manziel has signed his name more than 4,400 times.

Jim Darnell, an El Paso, Texas attorney with experience representing individuals at the center of NCAA investigations, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Aug. 8 that he had been hired by the Manziel family to represent the Texas A&M quarterback as the NCAA investigates allegations that he was paid for signing autographs.

NCAA Bylaw 12.5.2.1 prohibits players from accepting money for promotion or sale of a product or service.

On Aug. 5, Texas A&M senior associate athletic director Jason Cook confirmed an earlier USA TODAY Sports report that the school had retained the services of Birmingham law firm Lightfoot, Franklin and White as legal counsel on the matter. Lightfoot is the same firm that represented Auburn during the Cam Newton investigation, which surfaced during the 2010 season but did not result in formal allegations. Newton never sat out any games during the investigation into allegations that his father had sought payment from Mississippi State to deliver his son to that school.

Manziel began practicing with the Aggies that day and has continued to do so. Texas A&M opens the 2013 football season on Aug. 31 against Rice in College Station, Texas.

Outside The Lines reported Aug. 4 that Manziel agreed to a "five-figure flat fee" with an autograph broker named Drew Tieman for signing memorabilia during Manziel's visit to the site of the 2013 BCS Championship game in January. The report cited two witnesses saying they saw Manziel sign the products but did not see money exchange hands.

Tieman allegedly had met Manziel at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and that Manziel and friend Nathan Fitch signed the items at Tieman's apartment. The report also cited a person as saying that Manziel signed hundreds more autographs at a later time after leaving Florida.

ESPN also reported Aug. 6, citing a broker who spoke on the condition of anonymity, that Manziel was paid $7,500 while signing memorabilia on Jan. 11-12 while attending a Walter Camp Football Foundation event in New Haven, Conn.